Policy Text
24/02 ሺREV 12/04ሻ 1
Sheriff’s Mounted Search And Rescue Unit
The purpose of this order is to s et policy and define the missi on of the Sheriff's Mounted
Search and Rescue Unit. I. General
The Sheriff's Mounted Search and Rescue (S.A.R.) Unit is compri sed of citizen
volunteers who shall perform s earch and other lif esaving activi ties at the direction
of the Sheriff. Although sworn m embers of this department may p articipate as
private citizens, the S.A.R. unit is a non-sworn, volunteer org anization which is
licensed as an independent non-prof it agency under administrati ve and
operational control of this department.
II. Membership
A. Membership qualifications a re set by S.A.R. unit by-laws as
aproved by this department and filed with the California
Secretary of State.
B. The Sheriff's S.A.R. unit does not unlawfully discrimina te on the
basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, phys ical
handicap, medical condition, mar ital status, age or sex.
C. Active members of t he S.A.R. unit are registered C alifornia
"disaster service workers" ent itled to benefit s and obligations as
determined by state la w and county policy.
III. Deployment
A. The Sheriff's Mounted Sear ch and Rescue Unit shall be av ailable for
volunteer search and related acti vity call-out in Sacramento an d other
counties as determined by the Ch ief Deputy of Field Services, o r his
designee.
Page 2 of 2 24/02 (REV 12/04)
B. Requests for search and rescue support shall be referred to the
commander of the Volunteer Servi ces Bureau or designee. The
commander of the Volunteer Servi ces Bureau, when determining a call-
out is appropriate, shall initiate the S.A.R. unit call-out ros ter.
C. When deployed, the S.A. R. unit shall be under the ope rational command
of the commander of the Volunteer S ervices Bureau or designee. If
neither the commander of the Vol unteer Services Bureau or his/h er
designee is present, operational c ommand shall be exercised by officers
as identified in the S. A.R. unit by-laws; where the mounted enf orcement
unit coordinator or designee is no t present at a deployment, th e
responsible S.A.R. unit shall report to same as soon as possibl e after
the operation has terminated.
D. All reports including end o f action, worker's compensation claims and
others shall be routed to the co mmander of the Volunteer Servic es
Bureau or his designee.
IV. Related Duties
When requested by the apropriate i ncident/watch/area commander and with the
concurrence of commander of the Volunteer Services Bureau, the S.A.R. unit shall
support the department in evidence searches, large animal rescu e, and other
duties as appropriate.